1970-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-029

Description

Departing from the typical above-the-7 doubling pattern seen on most 1970-D DDOs, WDDO-029 on the 1970-D Lincoln Memorial cent exhibits doubling below the 0 in the date — a downward displacement that indicates the secondary hub impression was positioned lower than the primary, creating extra material beneath the terminal digit rather than above the crossbar of the 7. This variant displacement direction makes WDDO-029 immediately distinguishable from the majority of 1970-D varieties during initial screening, as collectors accustomed to checking above the 7 must redirect their attention below the 0. No cross-references to other attribution services have been published, with Wexler's documentation as the sole catalog source. Interestingly, no significant die markers have been noted on the obverse, making the doubling pattern itself the primary obverse diagnostic — an unusual situation that places greater importance on the reverse markers for definitive attribution. The reverse compensates with abundant diagnostics: die gouges extend from the top of the first column and the left cornice of the Memorial, a heavy scratch cuts through the upper STA of STATES, and strong gouges mark the area below the Memorial building. This concentration of reverse markers provides multiple confirmation points, and the heavy scratch through STATES is particularly useful as a quick-check feature visible even at modest magnification. The below-0 doubling, combined with the distinctive reverse marker constellation, makes WDDO-029 one of the more readily attributable varieties in the later portion of the 1970-D DDO catalog. A heavy die scratch runs E/W through the upper STA of STATES.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John Shields Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1970-D 1¢ WDDO-029
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References